Lyons Falls man sent to prison on various charges

LOWVILLE  A Lyons Falls man was sentenced Friday in Lewis County Court to state prison on various charges lodged over the past few years, including promoting prison contraband.

Justin E. Branagan, 26, of 4316 Lyons Falls Road, Lyons Falls, was sentenced to two to six years in prison, $1,432.97 restitution and $1,050 in court fees on charges of promoting prison contraband, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, endangering the welfare of a child, fourth-degree criminal mischief and second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument.

He pleaded guilty to the first charge  for having cigarette butts and matches at the county jail on July 12  and had admitted guilt to the other four in January 2012 but was unsuccessful in completing the countys Drug Court program.

Mr. Branagan had been accused of possessing a prescription for Percocet containing an altered pill quantity in the village of Lowville, spinning his tires on a lawn in the town of New Bremen and choking Holly Gonyea in the presence of their child in the town of Watson.

Judge Daniel R. King also issued an order of protection on the victims behalf that is to extend for five years after Mr. Branagans maximum release date.

Also in Lewis County Court Friday:

Jonathan M. Monica, 23, of 670 Burchard St., Watertown, was arraigned on a charge of felony aggravated driving while intoxicated with children in the vehicle and pleaded guilty to the charge. He was then entered into the countys Drug Court program. Mr. Monica was stopped May 18 on North State Street in Lowville.

Andrew J. Loadwick, 28, of 3774 Marmon Road, Port Leyden, was arraigned on a charge of felony DWI and pleaded guilty to the charge. He was then entered into the countys Drug Court program. Mr. Loadwick was stopped March 9 on Route 26 in the town of West Turin.

Chantel M. Bergen, 21, formerly of Lowville, was sentenced to three years probation, a $500 fine, $250 in court fees and a six-month drivers license revocation on a charge of third-degree criminal sale of marijuana, to which he pleaded guilty April 26. She was accused of selling marijuana on several occasions in Lowville.

Kathleen M. Kraeger, 47, of 3114 West St., Constableville, was arraigned on charges of aggravated DWI and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and pleaded innocent. His case was adjourned to Aug. 9. Ms. Kraeger was stopped May 31 on West Main Street in Constableville.

Kurt J. Hazzard, 41, of 6835 Mechanic St., Croghan, had sentencing in his case of first- and third-degree rape, first- and third-degree criminal sex act and endangering the welfare of a child adjourned to Aug. 9; he was convicted by jury of those charges May 31. Hazzard was accused of having sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 17 on multiple occasions in 2011.

Wenrick J. Fleming Jr., 39, of 5490 River Road, Apt. 1, Lowville, had his case of reckless assault of a child, second-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child adjourned to Sept. 20. Mr. Fleming was accused of, on Nov. 13, shaking his 9-month-old son, causing brain injuries.

Jody L. Wetmore, 38, Glenfield, had her case of two counts apiece of third-degree criminal sale and possession of a controlled substance adjourned to Aug. 16. She was accused of selling morphine in October and November in Lowville.

Daniel S. Rounds, 29, of 7178 Murphy Road, Port Leyden, had a possible trial date set for Oct. 15 in his case of two counts apiece of first-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child and single counts of first-degree criminal sexual act and forcible touching.

He was accused of having oral sex with a child under the age of 11 between June and September 2008 in Port Leyden and inappropriately touching the child in November in the town of Lyonsdale.

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